Trends
Why Are More Children And Young Adults Experiencing Sudden Heart-Related Deaths?
The news of children and young adults succumbing to sudden heart-related issues has been nothing short of heartbreaking. Over the past month, tragic stories have emerged, raising alarms and sparking conversations about a worrying trend.
In Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, an 8-year-old Class 3 student suffered a cardiac arrest on January 6. The child collapsed in her classroom while presenting her notebook to a teacher. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors declared her brought in dead.
Just a few days later, on January 10, another eight-year-old, Gargi Ranpara from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, collapsed in her school lobby. CPR and emergency care couldn’t save her. In Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, two more children—aged 8 and 14—were among five fatalities due to cardiac arrest in just 25 days. The 14-year-old collapsed during sports training, while the younger child fell unconscious while playing with friends.
These incidents aren’t just shocking—they’re puzzling. Why are children, and young adults who we assume to be the epitome of energy and health, suddenly succumbing to heart-related conditions?
Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack: What’s the Difference?
Before diving into the “why,” let’s clear up some confusion. Cardiac arrest and heart attacks are not the same thing, though people often use the terms interchangeably.
A heart attack happens when a blocked artery prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching a part of the heart muscle. Think of it like a clogged pipe in your home. If it’s not fixed, the blockage can cause permanent damage to the affected area. This can feel like chest pain or a heavy weight pressing down on you.
Cardiac arrest, on the other hand, is more like a sudden electrical failure. The heart’s rhythm becomes erratic or stops entirely, halting blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. It’s immediate and often fatal if not treated with CPR or a defibrillator within minutes.
Why Is This Happening to Children?
Traditionally, heart-related conditions were considered an “adult problem,” but that narrative is changing. While research is ongoing, experts have a few theories about why young hearts are suddenly stopping:
Post-COVID Complications: Some cardiologists believe that COVID-19 and its aftermath have increased inflammation in the body, making the heart more vulnerable.
Stress and Lifestyle: The pandemic disrupted routines, leading to less physical activity and higher stress levels. Poor diet and increased screen time could also be culprits.
Congenital Conditions: Undiagnosed heart defects, which might have gone unnoticed during routine check-ups, can lead to sudden cardiac events.
Overexertion: Vigorous physical activity, especially without proper medical screening, could be a trigger for children with underlying conditions.
A Doctor’s Perspective
Dr. Madivada points out that someone experiencing a heart attack may express severe pain, while a person suffering from cardiac arrest usually collapses without warning, unable to signal their distress.
Interestingly, while cardiac arrest and heart attacks are distinct, they’re not unrelated. A heart attack can weaken the heart’s pumping ability, increasing the risk of cardiac arrest. “When the heart’s pumping ability weakens, the risk of cardiac arrest increases, and one of the main culprits behind this weakened function is indeed a heart attack,” says Dr. Madivada.
Can Kids Experience Cardiac Arrest or Heart Attacks?
The short answer: Yes, though it’s rare. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in children is a severe condition where the heart abruptly stops pumping blood. This leads to an immediate loss of consciousness and, without swift intervention, can result in death.
Are there warning signs?
In many cases, there are none. However, some children may exhibit fainting, unexplained seizures, or dizziness before an event. A family history of heart disease or sudden cardiac death can also indicate a higher risk.
Competitive sports, while generally beneficial, can sometimes trigger cardiac events in children with undiagnosed conditions, particularly when proper screenings are overlooked.
Leading Causes of Cardiac Arrest in Children
Several factors can contribute to sudden cardiac arrest in children, ranging from congenital issues to external triggers. Here are some of the most common causes:
1. Congenital Heart Defects: These are structural abnormalities present from birth that can disrupt the heart’s ability to pump blood or maintain a regular rhythm. Some defects are undiagnosed until a serious event occurs.
2. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): This genetic condition causes the heart muscle to thicken, obstructing blood flow and increasing the risk of dangerous arrhythmias. HCM is particularly concerning for young athletes, as it can strike during physical activity.
3. Long QT Syndrome: A rare genetic disorder affecting about 1 in 7,000 young people, Long QT syndrome causes irregular heart rhythms that can be triggered by exercise or emotional stress, leading to cardiac arrest.
4. Arrhythmias: Even in structurally normal hearts, irregular heartbeats caused by electrical abnormalities, such as ventricular fibrillation or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
5. Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle, often caused by viral infections, can weaken the heart and increase the risk of life-threatening events.
6. Respiratory Conditions: Severe asthma attacks, pneumonia, or airway blockages can deprive the body of oxygen (hypoxia), potentially triggering cardiac arrest if untreated.
What Can Be Done?
While these statistics and causes may sound alarming, there’s hope in awareness and prevention:
Cardiac Screenings: Regular check-ups and screenings for kids, especially those involved in sports, can identify hidden risks early.
Know the Warning Signs: Fainting, dizziness, or unexplained seizures should never be ignored and warrant immediate medical attention.
Emergency Readiness: Schools, playgrounds, and sports facilities should have defibrillators and trained personnel to handle cardiac emergencies.
Promote a Healthy Lifestyle: A balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management can help protect children’s overall heart health.
As Dr. Mukharjee Madivada explains, “There are numerous causes for cardiac arrest, while a heart attack typically results from the blockage of a blood vessel.” Understanding these distinctions and recognizing potential risks in children is the first step toward prevention.
Likewise, physical trauma, such as blunt chest impact (commotio cordis) or severe head injuries, can disrupt the heart’s rhythm and potentially lead to cardiac arrest. Exposure to toxins, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), or metabolic disorders like electrolyte imbalances or hypoglycemia can also interfere with normal heart function, increasing the risk of cardiac arrest in children.
What about young adults, why is heart disease on the rise among young adults?
The sudden death of Vikas Sethi, a popular actor from the 2000s, on Sunday, September 8, has shocked many. His passing is part of a troubling trend, with more young people succumbing to cardiac arrest.
There is growing concern about younger individuals also experiencing heart problems, with a range of environmental, behavioral, and genetic factors contributing to the rise.
Lifestyle factors like increasing obesity rates, poor diets, inactivity, and high stress are putting additional strain on the cardiovascular system. The abuse of drugs, whether recreational or for performance enhancement, is another significant contributor to heart dysfunction. While improvements in diagnostics and reporting may be responsible for some of the increased awareness, modern sedentary lifestyles and stress are undoubtedly major factors in the uptick of heart disease in young adults.
To lower the risk of cardiac arrest, people should prioritize heart health by exercising regularly, maintaining a balanced diet, and getting frequent checkups. It’s essential to screen for heart irregularities, especially if there’s a family history of heart disease. Avoiding smoking, drug abuse, and managing stress are crucial as well. In high-risk situations, having Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces and ensuring people are trained in CPR can make a life-saving difference during cardiac emergencies.
